Enlarger Condensers - have one that matches each of your focal lengths ?

[shoot6x7]

I have an L1200 with a 151, 152, 50T (50 + 80) condensers. According to the documentation, this will allow me to use the following focal lengths:

151+152 for 150mm & 135mm
151 + 151 for 100mm
80 for 80mm
50T (50+80) for 50mm, 35mm & 28mm

I just bought a 100mm Focotar-2, do I REALLY need to by a second 151 to use it ?? Especially, when it'll cost $300 !!

Thanks,
Ron

 

[shoot6x7]

Also, with an M805 if you use the Bimacon 75, can you only use a 75mm lens ? What if I did use a 100mm lens ?

 

[Hilo]

Why don't you just put your negative in the enlarger and turn it on? I am quite sure you will be able to see if it works.

I have the L1000 and using the Focotar-2 with the recommended condensers worked fine. When it does not work you will see that the corners of your image are not evenly illuminated. A print will confirm that.

 

[Ronald Moravec]

To get maximum light through 100 mm a proper condenser is necessary. If you are willing to put up with some light loss, the 151 +152 should work.

What can not be done is use condensers set for shorter focals.

An aside, do NOT buy a wide angle enlarging lens for a condenser enlarger. My 40 Focotar and 45 mm Schneider something work beautifully on diffusion, and perform like a coke bottle on condensers. Stopping down helps only a little.

 

[shoot6x7]

Thanks for the responses.
It's clear that coverage for MF with a 35mm condenser would be inadequate. However, I was wondering whether the 151, 152 combo would work for MF.

I need to ponder on the negative effects of only using a fraction of the light meant for a larger negative. For instance should I still use a 135mm lens, appropriate for the condenser set, and suffer the limitations of using a longer lens for a larger magnification.